Gov’t launches health program for 14.7 M poor families

MANILA, Philippines - The government launched yesterday a comprehensive health program aimed at providing primary healthcare to 14.7 million indigent families.

President Aquino, along with officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Department of Health (DOH), led the launching of a multi-sectoral advocacy campaign dubbed “Alaga ka para sa Maayos na Buhay” (Alaga Ka) at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

In his speech, Aquino invited the attendees – some 2,000 poor families from different parts of Metro Manila – to partake of and utilize the benefits offered by Alaga Ka.

“It is the primary objective of the Alaga Ka program to open the eyes of our fellowmen, especially the 14.7 million indigent families, about the services being offered by our very own DOH and PhilHealth,” Aquino said.

The beneficiaries will receive micronutrient supplements, maternal and neonatal care package and family planning.

They will also get free treatment package for tuberculosis from government hospitals.

“The services here are crystal clear: We firmly believe that prevention is better than cure. Instead of being content with curing the illness, we are giving Filipinos the capacity to prevent illnesses and stop it from spreading further,” Aquino said.

The President was joined by Health Secretary Enrique Ona, PhilHealth president and CEO Alexander Padilla, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Aquino said PhilHealth and other government agencies providing health services have been able to keep up with the demand for universal health care because of proper management of the government’s resources.

“Among the benefits that are included in this service are health-risk counseling and cancer screening, and the assurance that beneficiary-families will be able to consult and see a doctor every year,” he said.

He added that even the legislative branch pitched in and helped by passing the Sin Tax Reform and Responsible Parenthood laws that greatly helped in providing better and more expanded health services to the people.